Postcards from the Lake: A Quiet Summer

You may have noticed there haven't been as many postcards from the lake as usual. It's been an odd summer.

We got a late start, between my MRSA and Rick's Covid and didn't make it up here until the weekend of the Fourth of July. We do have a splendid view of the lake fireworks, which are shot off from the county park directly across the lake from us.

Surprisingly, and pleasingly, there were few personal fireworks in the neighborhood, definitely making life nicer for Lizzie, who once again took to the linen closet to wait out the festivities!

For the most part, days have been sunny and warm (with a few exceptions and to be honest, the rain was needed). It has been good swimming weather. My most profound experience was swimming and seeing about thirty or more geese swimming toward me, having been chased off the beach. These are not they, but it was the same kind of flotilla, only there were more birds.

We couldn't have been more than 30 feet apart. I think I might have been by this family that I have seen before and believe me -- no way I was getting close to goslings flanked by two parents!

The other frequent visitors are the Quackles, mom and her six babies. So far all are there. I'm continually surprised at how much smaller they are than those at home, which appear to be full grown or close to it.

My plants, which I brought up from home, are doing well and it's nice adding fresh basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme to our cooking. Last year I planted thyme here but it didn't make it and the oregano is puny. Fortunately, the potted plants are doing well. 

There are a few things here that need to be done, like getting a new door handle. (I find the brand name of the current one ironic!)

As you know, we had our sweet grandlittles visit, and my face-plant, which took us home for several days. I now have a new temporary crown. My dentist (the new partner) looks like a teenager but he seems to know what he's doing. And to be honest, anything would be better than the way it was!

I've spent a lot of time keeping our beach from getting out of control. Thanks to neighbor Jim (he's still here!), it was cleaned up by running his tractor through it. But you have to rake up the weeds and keep on it or they come back very fast! You've got to admit, sunset is its best time of day!

Rick was here on the first visit but had to stay home when I returned, taking care of the duplexes he owns. It's been quiet here with just Lizzie for company. I miss him!

The typical day involves getting online to visit all of you and answer your comments in the morning. That's broken up by painting or reading, walking or swimming. It's quiet, calm and laid back. I've been doing a bit of art and will include more in a separate post. 

The big news of this day involves the fallen tree in the backyard. We finally reached tree guy, he said he'd take care of it. But he hasn't come yet. So, a knock at the door found neighbor Jim there, saying he was going to do it. 

It was fascinating watching him tackle the tree -- it's a two day job but he got probably 80 percent of it chopped up and hauled away. I wanted to help (he refused; finally I at least helped haul some branches to the trailer and rake but I think he was just tolerating me!)  I wanted to pay him for his time. (Nope.) Finally, I sneaked over a bottle of wine to his porch while he was working. I'll do something else -- a gift card or gas card. Something. 

He hasn't sold his house here yet, but plans to this winter. I can't imagine having another neighbor there.  

At the end of the day after dinner, I'm generally on the porch, shading my eyes from the beating sun, checking in again!

Meals are simpler when I'm on my own. The centerpiece of last night's dinner was a watermelon and feta salad. My cousin had mentioned making one and how good it was, then I saw a similar recipe HERE and realized I had the ingredients, more or less. I substituted the lime juice for lemon and used basil instead of mint (which I have in abundance at home but not here), and then used scallion rather than the red onion, which I didn't fully marinate, but it didn't matter. 

SO good! And pretty, too! (The thing about this recipe is that quantities and measurements are more or less optional -- it's a great dump salad and so refreshing. I used the feta in brine. Don't use the crumbles.)

And now, someone else is hungry. And since she is being good and thinking inside the box while we're here, I should indulge her!

 I hope all's well for you.
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